Dresden Staatskapelle/Rudolf Kempe, cond.
EMI CLASSICS DVDA 923969 TT: 82:47
(4 channel)
Both of these heavily-scored symphonic poems should be sonic showpieces but here they are not. Recorded in 1971, these were early EMI attempts as multi-channel sound, but they are not impressive. Deficient in low bass (so important in Zarathustra), and with overly-harsh highs, these do not impress, in spite of the superb performances by a master Strauss conductor.
Berlin Philharmonic Orch/Sir Simon Rattle, cond.
EMI CLASSICS DVDA 923949 TT: 77:23
(5.1 channel)
A memorable performance (see RD's REVIEW). Perhaps because of being recorded live, microphones are very close - and there is little Philharmonie resonance, which means steely strings, limited low bass, and a stark audio representation of the famed Berlin Philharmonic under Sir Simon just before he became music director of the orchestra.